van pelt



(No Model.)

A. H. VAN PELT. Hons DOOR LETTER BOX.

No. 471,918. Patented Mar. 29. 1892.

TED STATES ADA II. VAN PELT, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO I C. L. MAXlVELL, OF SAME PLACE. I

HOUSE-DOOR LETTER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 471,918, dated March 29, 1892.

Application filed June 4, 1891. Serial No. 395,097. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADA H. VAN PELT, a cltlzen of the United States, residing at Oakland, Alameda county, State of California,-

have invented an Improvement in Letter- Boxes; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to certain improvements in letter-boxes which are especially adapted for receiving mail-matter.

It consists in certain details of construction, which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure] is a perspective view of the box closed. Fig. 2 is a view of the box open. Fig. 3 is a vertical section.

In the construction of letter-boxes for the reception of mail-matter it is desirable to previde a box which can be easily attached to the door or other point without unduly marring the wood-Work or place to which it is attached, to make the box water and dust proof and at the same time leave its contents discernible from the outside, to make the operative parts so nearly automatic that butlittle difficulty will be experienced in operating them, and at the same time to make the box of as small bulk as possible.

In the construction of my box I make the main body or frame A, having two vertical sides, with suitable connecting parts at top and bottom. The top plate B is made with two separate angles, the upper portion being the steepest, as here shown. It has also a small inclination toward one side, so that the tendency of water will be to flow off in the angle between the two inclines. Beneath this incline is hinged the flap C, the outer surface of which is inclined and curved, as shown,- and the inner edge projects beneath the overlapping incline B of the top bar. The outer front portion of this flap projects beyond the pivot-pins, by which its ends are attached between the sidesA of the box, and the weight of the outer portion is such that the inner edge will be constantly closed up beneath the inclined top plate B and thus form a practical continuation of this bar, over which water can freely flow in case the box is exposed to rain,and at the same time a practically dusttight joint is made between the upper inner edge of the flap C and the lower portion of the plate B. By reason of the less inclination of the lower part of the plate B the front edge is made considerably thicker and projects sufficiently above the flap O to form a guide, so that when a letter is placed with its side against this edge pressure upon the letter will cause the flap to tilt,so as to allow the letter to slide into the box, and the flap will immediately return to its position by gravitation. By this construction only one hand need be used by the postman or other person dropping a letter.

The front of the-box D is made of ornamental open-work, through which the interior E, which covers the open-work, so that while one can easily see through and inspect the interior of the box all dust and moisture are effectually excluded therefrom. To the lower portion of this front is attached the curved box F, open at the top for the reception of papers, and it also serves as a receptacle for letters and papers for mailing. Ata convenient point upon the front I fix the name-plate of the owner.

The lower portion of the front D and the part F have the exterior projecting lugs G and the bottom of the posts A have correspond ing projecting feet H, through which the pivot pins I pass to attach the lugs G to these projections H. By reason of these projecting lugs the greater portion of the weight of the movable door or front is thrown behind the vertical plane of the pivot-pins I, so that when the front is opened outward it turns about these pivot-pins and occupies the position I shown in Fig. 2. In this position the contents of the box are easily taken out, as they will fall forward and lie upon the inner side of the front D and may be removed when the front is opened outward, as shown in Fig. 2. As soon as the front is released the Weight of the rear portion, which is behind the pivot-pins I, is sufficiently greater than that of the 11pper portion so that the door will close by gravitation. This door is provided with a springlock of any suitable or convenient pattern, so

that as soon as itis released afterbein g opened it closes and locks itself.

At the inner side and bottom of the front D is the bottom D, upon which the letters rest when dropped into the box, and upon each side are the upturned lugs or flanges D These flanges serve to retain the letters in place on the front D whenever this front is tilted forward for the purpose of removing the letters, and the flanges prevent the letters from slipping out to eitherside until they can be properly removed. The bottom also serves to throw the contents of the box forward as the door or front is opened, and thus makes it convenient to take the letters out.

The arched front F, which is secured to the lower part of D to contain papers, as before described, is also provided with a bottom upon which the papers rest, and this front being secured to the front D these parts all move in unison when the front or door is opened.

In order to prevent the door opening to a point beyond what is necessary to remove the letters and to insure its closing again by gravitation I have shown lugs J, which project in any suitable manner from the bottom to the front D and engage the projecting feet II when the door has been opened to a sufficient distance, these lugs acting as stops for the purpose above stated. Thehinged flap C is also provided with similar stops 0', which prevent the flap turning too far when a letter is introduced and insure its closing by gravitation.

Cross-bars within the body A, extending across the upper and lowerpartand at the back, have screw-holes made in them, through which screws are introduced to secure the box to its position, and as these are entirely concealedwithin the box when closed it is impossible to remove it from its place by any ordinary means.

A letter-box thus constructed occupies the least possible depth from the face of the door outwardly, and provides a very perfect, safe, and tight receptacle for letters and papers.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Lett-ers Patent, is-- 1. In a letter-box, the main frame secured to the door or other support and having the outwardly-projecting feet at the bottom, the door or front having corresponding projections or lugs at its lower front portion, said door or front having a rearwardly-extending bottom, and pivot-pins at the front of the door uniting the projecting feet thereof with those of the frame, whereby the weight of the door is thrown to the rear of the vertical plane of the pivots, so that when the door is opened outward it will close by gravitation, substantially as herein described.

2. In a letter-box, the main frame with means for securing it to a door or support, a

front having perforations through which the I interior may be inspected, a glazed covering by wlnch these openings are hermetically sealed, a rearwardly-extending bottom connected with this front, upon which letters dropped into the box are received, inwardlyprojecting sides or flanges to retain letters in place when the front is opened, lugs projecting from the lower front edge of the door, and corresponding projections or feet upon the main frame with pivot-pins by which the two are united, and a hinge formed around which the door may be moved in a vertical plane to open it and about which it moves by gravitation when released so as to close, substantially as herein described.

8. In a letter-box, the main frame havinga combined door and receptacle pivoted or hinged to its lower front portion, and a lock by which the upper front edge of the door is engaged with the top of the main frame to receive the box, in combination with a flap C, pivoted to the upper part of the main frame, so that the inner edge extends beneath the top of said frame, and the outer edge weighted,.

so that the flap is closed and retained by gravitation, substantially as herein described.

4. In a letter-box, the main frame having cross-bars, a means for attaching it to the door or support, the door or front forming a containing-box for letters having its front lower edge pivoted between the front lower sides of the main frame, so as to turn about said pivots in a vertical plane, an inclined top plate extending across thenpper ends of themain frame, a flap pivoted between the sides of the main frame, having that portion exterior to the pivots made heavier than the inner portion, said inner portion extending beneath the inclined top plate of the main frame and forming therewith a continuous roof or water-shed, and adust-tight joint, substantially as herein described,

5. In a letter-box, the main frame secured to the door or support, having an inclined top plate, a weighted flap pivoted between the sides of the main frame beneath the top plate, with the portion exterior to the pivot-pins made heavier than the interior portion, said interior portion extending beneath the top plate of the main frame and having a lug which limits the amount of opening whereby the flap maybe opened inwardly by thepressure of a letter and closed again by gravitation after the letter has passed, a door or front having bottom and sides projecting inwardly and forming a receptacle for letters thus introduced, pivot-pins connecting the lower front portion of said door with the extensions of the main frame, whereby the door may be opened outwardly from the top in a vertical plane and closed by gravitation when released, and lugs J, by which the distance to which the door is opened is limited, substantially as herein described.

6. In a letter-box, the main frame, with means for securing it to a door or support, a top plate, a pivoted automatically-closing flap which opens inwardly to pressure for the reception of letters and closes by gravitending from the lower front portion of the door or front, and pivot-pins by which these 10 are united or fulorumed to the main frame,

and lugs to limit the opening of the door, so that the latter will close by gravitation when released, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ADA H. VAN PELT.

Witnesses:

S. H. NoURsE,

J. A. BAYLESS. 

